Wanted to hop on here and say thank you for the reviews you do. The vast majority of the reviews on TH-cam are just essentially ads - A TH-camr praising whatever current bag they have been sent for free and having landed a deal for an affiliate link. Your videos are thorough, critical and honest. I really appreciate your format as well. No marketing videos from the company or annoying music. Thanks so much! P.s. is there a bag you could recommend for EDC pack you would recommend for equally capable use in an office/academic setting as well as out in the field?
17:35 This part is so helpful (CTB26 vs CPL28 for travel). I have seen this question on many other comments sections for Evergoods bags, and having not owned either of the CPLs I wondered as well. Thanks for addressing it! Btw this excellent review pushed me over, and I am really happy with my OD green CTB26 👍🏻
Forget the bags, I'd love to see a review of your watch done to the same level of thoroughness 😂 Such an unconventional choice and a really unique and cool timepiece 👏
A fellow watch enthusiast!!!!! First of all, thank you so much for the kind words!!! In this review I'm wearing the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Monopusher Petit Prince edition (reference IW515202). I'm not going to lie, a big pilots watch was never at the top of my "must have" list because of their size (for comparison, my only other IWC is the much more normal-sized Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph). But then I had the opportunity to see this in person and the beautiful blue dial against the chunky brown leather strap, chunky arabic numerals, the solid distinct feel of the mono pusher and the exhibition case back with the solid finishing and power reserve.... what can I say? Sometimes the heart sometimes wants what the heart wants 😂. While I am fortunate enough to have a few different pieces, I'm not sure that I feel knowledgeable enough yet in my watch collecting journey to do a full on review... it can be scary putting a review out there on the Internet especially in a hobby like horology where there is no shortage of sharp tongued critics out there hahaha. But maybe someday!! (if you have any specific questions about this piece though I am happy to do my best to try to answer them!! There's actually not too much information on this watch out there IIRC)
@@TheMountainborn Thanks a lot for such a detailed reply! The watch looks right at home on your wrist! So refreshing to see a sophisticated non-mainstream watch. If you ever decide to create watch-related content, I'm sure it will be great 👍
Great review! I definitely feel as if you were the most helpful in giving advice out of all the reviewers I came across in my search for a new travel pack. My only issue being that a lot of the bags are either not available in my location or are so expensive that I can't justify the cost compared to other options. In the end I think I might grab the original version of the "Heimplanet transit line". Despite the drawbacks you mentioned, and the obvious one of it being a old version, I think it will work well for my intended use, in addition to being very reasonably priced at about $150 instead of the $450 ish the "Evergoods Civic" would run me. Please keep up the reviews as I'm sure I'm not the only one you have helped immensely. Thank you so much!
Pardon my language but what a fucking phenomenal review. I can tell just how much experience youve had with these bags and the brand in general; they should pay you for this video
Awwww!!!! Thank you so much for the amazing comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful!!! Among all the brands out there at the moment, Evergoods definitely ranks high on my list (though some of their latest releases I have mixed feelings about) and the CTB26 still remains a mainstay of my rotation even a couple of years after its release, it's that good. I'm glad they made it part of their regular lineup rather than just keeping it locked behind the Carryology collab so now more people can experience it :)
Great review man. Honestly i’m glad I went with the 35L just because I find the hip belt to be excellent for heavier load days. I don’t mind EDCing it. I feel comfortable which is what matters, nobody really cares how big or small your pack looks.
Fantastic and thorough review! Will probably pick this bag up for my carry on luggage. Can’t quite do one bag travel - one reason being TSA doesn’t like my traditional safety razor and blades. 😉 I love the organization and multiple exterior pockets for the ability to quickly access items or quickly dump items when having to empty pants pockets when going through airport security. Exterior water bottle pockets are a must and one of the reasons for choosing this over the CPL series. Plus, when traveling across climate zones when you need a coat to start but not one at destination, there is room to stow it in this pack. Definite upgrade over the GoRuck 15L Bullet!
Hi @ab7019! Thank you so much for the kind words! One note regarding safety razors and OBT (One Bag Travel) - I actually often use (and travel with) safety razors during my one bag travel and in my experience, it has been fine 95% of the time! In the US if you get TSA Pre I've never once had them so much as ask me to take out my dopp kit, let alone look inside. And in almost every country I've traveled in over the past decade, nobody so much as bats an eye at the safety razor. The only two times in the past I've ever had an issue was once in Vienna airport where I was asked to leave the blades themselves behind (though obviously I could keep the razor) and once in Copenhagen airport (though these instances were spread apart by a couple of years). I didn't mind too much since the few bucks for the blades weren't a big deal to me (I usually only carry 2-3 blades at max just in case I am asked to throw them away). Also, in each case it wasn't a very big deal since in my experience most druggists still tend to stock at least one type of double edged blades (usually on a dusty shelf somewhere or else you have to ask for it), or else in most major cities it is just an Amazon overnight express away etc. Of course, if you have a particular brand you love that might (Or I guess at the very worst one could (shudder) use a generic Mach 3 or something for a few nights haha) Anyway, just wanted to share my experience - of course your mileage may vary but I wouldn't let your love of safety razors stop you from the joys of one bag traveling!
It's funny, for you it's a goldilocks bag, for me it's a bag that I virtually never use because it's slap bang in the middle of my two main use cases that are better served by other bags. CTB 26 always feels a bit too big and unwieldy for EDC, so I almost always use a 20 litre bag for that. If I'm going on holiday CTB 26 always feels a bit too small, so I end up using a 35 litre bag. I think I've used my CTB 26 once in the 6 months since I've had it, and even during that one time, I remember thinking I should have used a different bag. I think if I regularly needed to go places for between 4-8 days then this would be a good bag. But for 1-3 days I'll use a 20 litre, and longer trips I'll use a 35 litre.
Your reviews are god-tier amazing, please keep up the awesome work that you do. Do you have any plans to review the Evergoods Transit Duffel 35L? I'm currently in the market for a high quality ~35L duffel that can carry 3-5 days worth of stuff and it caught my eye! Otherwise, would love any recommendations!
Awww thank you for the kind words @decantering ! I am currently testing the TD35 and will have a review on it in the coming weeks. Impressions to date: definitely high quality (typical of Evergoods). Square shape and in-built sidewall padding makes it relatively easy to pack and it sits well inside of a car boot or in an overhead compartment without taking up too much space (due to upright rectangular shape). The top opening with built in stays is cool and comparatively easy to load but not quite as easy to use as the release video makes it sound ("like an old time doctors bag") due to the stiffness of the flap clips on either side that you need to release to really make it open up super wide. Speaking of which, beyond the side flap clips being quite stiff to clip/unclip (a two handed operation at least to date, maybe they'll break in over time) unfortunately I'm not really liking how the bag connects to the shoulder strap - the flaps just don't do it for me and it kind of looks/feels awkward with them sticking up. I think it's something about the flappy, unstructured flaps then blending into the stiff and fairly rectangular, heavily structured main body of the bag. The shoulder strap itself is simple but sufficient and I like the construction of it as an object (typical ever goods quality) but... somehow the shoulder carry combination just doesn't work for me. The bag is also quite ponderous and heavy to carry over the shoulder when loaded up - makes for a much better hand carry though again, it's surprisingly heavy in a way that I haven't experienced with other similar sized duffels I use (Mission Workshop transit duffel, Bellroy Lite duffel, even the black ember Dex, though the latter suffers from other issues, etc.) The hand carry handles are great and I love their simple and reliable execution. Lots of internal and external organization in the bag. No backpack straps (which contributes to the clean look of the bag) but due to the awkwardness of the shoulder strap carry I find this basically limits the bag to hand carry and 35L is *a lot* of stuff to carry by hand if it's fully loaded up. You will also probably need a day/destination use bag (I have the matador x carryology edx pack inside of the TD35) as well. All in all, mixed feelings on the TD35 but continuing to test it. So far the sweet spot seems to be like a weekender style bag for car travel - hauling stuff from home to boot of car to hotel and back. Not the best bag for public transport/airline travel etc. IMO. Will share more refined thoughts in my full review after I finish really putting it through its paces and working out my opinion. Other bags to consider in this general size range include (in no particular order): * Bellroy Lite Duffel - very simple and lightweight but I actually real like this one. no laptop sleeve though. * Bellroy Weekender - for more of a weekender experience - I like this one, available in two different sizes. Did a review on my channel in the past * Mission Workshop Transit Duffel (I quite like this one, some strong similarities in certain areas to the EG TD35) * Black Ember Dex - both pros and cons to this bag, available in two sizes. Kind of overcomplicated and fussy in that typical black ember way, but great materials and has fairly nice backpack straps that work well as a way to carry it when fully loaded out. Hope this helps!
I really like the AC Max, but end spending a lot more and got the EG CTB Griffin and the matching CAP 1. About to drive home now to see if it’s on my porch yet 🙏
amazing review as always. For me this backpack didn't do it. I think my sweet spot is 22/24, but over this, ti's just too much. The frame didn't work well with my back. It's hard because I wanted to love it, I wanted this to be the one, but in the end I decided to part it and sold it in mercari here in tokyo. Now i'm rocking a venture 22L, have you tried it? I'm happy with this, something I like is the lack of a Vertical pocket, maybe I've been using normal (not cool tech) backpacks for such a long time in my life, that I don't really understand the small claustrophonic vertical pocket, it just doesn't have any use for me. Anyway, man, quick question, what are you using a travel sling nowadays? I'm in the market for one, mostly for airport and trips I'm considering the bellroy venture but the lack of 3 pockets bother me.
Do you feel the nylon version drapes better? I had the Phoenix 2 but i ended up selling it because it had a weird overall shape. I wanted the rectangle CPL look.
I definitely prefer the drape of the nylon, it looks/feels/reacts much like the CPL24 (v3 and beyond series) - plus the added bonus of a bit extra "flex" due to the fabric vs. the xpac. The Xpac stiffness is probably what contributed to the weird overall shape you felt with the Phoenix 2 - if you want the CPL24 look, the nylon6 mainline variant of the CTB265 will likely get you much much closer!
Hi great review! I’m having a tough time deciding between belllroy venture ready 26 vs ctb 26 and are travel pack 3 vs ctb35. Which one would you recommend?
haha well I suppose that is also one possible definition! I guess if one were to fill this bag with porridge, the X-Pac variant might be slightly better at not leaking :)
Hey mountain I, like others, dig your reviews and thoroughness but sometimes it can be hard for me to set aside an hour+ worth of time to a bag review. I had a thought while watching this review about a reviewer of cameras that does two versions of his reviews. look up Dustin abbot if you’d like. He does one review he calls the “definitive review” of a lens or camera body and it’s a very long thorough in depth version and one review that’s a streamlined (somewhere around 10 min.) quicker review/overview. His channel does really well and I still think he maintains a lot of integrity in the “photography TH-camr” space for his meticulous-ness while also giving the opportunity to have a quicker engagement where appropriate. Just a thought. Good luck and thanks for taking the time to do what you do!
hahahaha you know, business papers gotta be international and what not! For me, I haven't had the experience of this bag's bottom digging in - I heard it happened a fair amount with the V2 CPL24s, though I hear about it comparatively lesser with the V3 CPL24s and the CTB26 (which came after the v3s). Curious to hear if any of the other viewers have experienced this though!
Yes I had the digging on my CTB26. Putting some foam in helped - I have a video on it. Very easy. That being said I have actually recently swapped my CTB for a CPL24 mirror version, due to the CTB feeling less than comfortable under heavier loads and looking quite big given it’s advertised dimensions. I think it’s down to the shaping of the bag at the top
Unfortunately I had the back digging issue (also found the CTB26 straps to be overly narrow). So much to love about the bag but I had to sell it - was utterly gutted to do so though. Still looking for other options.
Have you ever used the CHZ 26 and if so how would it do as a travel bag if you didn’t need to bring a laptop? I’d also like to see a review on the Matador Seg 28.
I one-bag traveled with the CHZ26. It stuffs a ton. Without a separate laptop compartment the bag's entire depth is allocated in the main compartment. I stopped using the CHZ26 as my one-bag travel backpack for a few reasons: 1. You only have two pockets that are easily accessible when the bag is full. The upside down mesh pocket needs to have the bag fully unzipped to access, which might lead to things in the main compartment falling out of your stuffed your backpack to capacity. 2. If you need to reach for something in the bottom of the backpack and the bag is fully stuffed, then you'll need to start taking stuff out.
Great reply from @Andorski that I think covers some pretty important highlights for why the CHZ26 wouldn't be my first choice as a One Bag Travel bag. That said, it is a solid bag and you definitely *can* OBT with it, just there are probably better choices. It think it makes for a great cross over urban-use/outdoor-use bag. The SEG28.... I will actually have a review of this coming up. I have such mixed feelings on this bag - I love how innovative it is and the second revision has added some much-needed refinements over the v1. The biggest challenge I have with it is that the segmented compartments really force you to pack in a certain way that isn't that great of a fit for the kind of things I carry - it does really well if you're carrying a lot of soft things like clothes and maybe a minimal dopp kit and maybe a pair of shoes etc. I think the SEG28 excels in carrying gear to more outdoor adventures maybe staying in the car as the car bag with your climbing gear, puffy jacket, gloves, etc. (though you'll still need a purpose built hiking bag etc. in addition) However, it does less well with smaller delicate or harder things - think camera, small notebook, tech kit, hair iron, headphones, etc. Don't get me wrong, you _can_ get these things into it but it gets messy quickly and just isn't as efficient or even well protected as more traditional type backpacks. I also personally don't like that the SEG28 makes you carry these things in the outward facing compartments (though there is a small little loop to help make unzipping them slightly more secure) and I especially don't like it strongly disincentivizes using packing cubes (but that is just personal preference). I don't think it makes for a good daily use / destination use EDC pack due to its very unique segmented nature so you usually need to bring another bag with you for EDC use when you arrive. Anyway, like I said, super innovative, but it depends a lot on both your particular load out and preference. Anyway, will have a full review at some point!!
If evaluating only comfort, I would go with the CTB26 hands down. The AC Max is not uncomfortable by any means (albeit a bit stiff sometimes) but I find the CTB26 to have a better load carriage system and I am quite used to (and prefer) the yoke area and curvature of Evergoods bags.
Great question Leo. Here is an excerpt from an email I sent a viewer who asked a similar question: > tl;dr is that I love both bags and they're both some of my all time favourite goldilocks (One bag travel + destination use EDC bag in one) bags. They're quite different in their construction and approach to the same problem space, and I think you can't go wrong with either. I think the Transit 28 is probably slightly more minimalist (ish) [the viewer had asked specifically about minimalism] than the CTB26 but they're both fairly full featured bags so it might depend on your definition of minimalism. > Comfort/harness/suspension setup and that is one area where I feel comfortable saying the CTB26 comes out well ahead of the Transit 28 - the latter has kind of small/thinnish shoulder straps (its probably my single biggest criticism of that otherwise excellent bag) and a slightly softer frame sheet, whereas the CTB26 is typical Evergoods amazing good stuff - as long as you're not one of the relatively small number of people in this world who don't like the way the Evergoods bags sit on your back. (most people like it, but a few people think it hits them uncomfortably in the lower back). > I love both and think that if you're torn between the two of the you probably could be happy with either... that said, devoid of any other additional context, if I were pushed to choose one and only one, I'd go with the CTB26. I hope this helps!
@@TheMountainborn, appreciate your detailed response! I've been using the Bellroy Transit for three years while traveling and it's served me really well. However, as you said, the shoulder straps aren't too comfortable and often need readjusting, especially under heavy loads. Your video suggests the CTB26 is really similar in organizational features and distribution to the Transit 28L, which is great, but offers a better strap system and comfort, which is exactly what I'm looking for. Also I like the external bottle pockets of the CTB26 a little more, as they don't take up internal space, although I have to say that the ones in the Bellroy Transit can also be used as hidden pockets for passport, wallet, phone, etc, which has proven to be really useful in many cases. I just wonder if the added extra weight of the CTB26 (400g heavier) makes the extra comfort worth it. But I guess it's an unavoidable trade-off, there's no perfect backpack after all. Thank you!
Nice bag but a little big for an EDC work bag imo. What slings are you using currently? Do you have any recommendations for a camera sling (a compact mirrorless and perhaps 1 or 2 lenses)? Thought about the bellroy 10L camera sling but it seems a little big.
Yeah, if pure play EDC is what you're looking for, definitely suggest to check out the CPL24 which while nominally only 2 liters smaller is definitely a much better purpose built EDC bag.... that said, the CTB26 can definitely rock it as a destination use EDC bag without looking crazy big like most other one bag travel bags, and even for people with bigger or larger daily load outs (thinking people who carry gym gear / shoes or bigger FF camera gear etc.) I think it does great even outside of the travel scenario. For slings, my current general use favs are: - Bellroy Venture Sling 6L - Bellroy Lite Sacoche - Alpaka Gear Go Sling (when carrying an iPad Pro w/ keyboard cover) For carrying camera gear like you specified (compact mirrorless and 1-2 small lenses) I think the Venture 10L is not a bad choice (though it has limited capacity to carry non-camera items). Another option is the standard suspect of the Peak Design Everyday sling line - depending on how small your gear is you could fit it into the 6L version which is smaller than the bellroy though kind of annoyingly tight and stiffer than I prefer in a sling (and similarly is hard to get anything non-camera into). Another option might be the Yoshida Porter Tanker camera shoulder bag. Another option recently on the market is the Black Ember Grip Sling with the purpose built camera insert (though this is bigger than the Bellroy 10L). It has a lot of limitations but it tends to work best with smaller mirrorless setups like you described. Finally, if you like the Bellroy 10L camera sling but think it's too big the 9L regular mainline venture actually might work as well - if you see my review on it on my channel I show briefly how it can carry a camera and lens quite capably. Good luck!
@@TheMountainborn Thanks for the in-depth response. I actually own and am using the CPL24 as my EDC, however still find it a tad big for my liking. Tried the CHZ22 in the past but the rhino horn at the top really turns me off. Hoping for the CTB to be released as a 20 or 22L in the future. As for the slings, I will definitely check out the ones you recommended! I appreciate your reviews, feel that we have similar taste for bags.😀
Heyyyy friend! Do you mean the V2 Shift L? Unfortunately I did not cop it when it went on sale and it's out of stock at the moment.... I may pick it up when it come back in stock. Right now (right this second!) I'm rocking the new Trakke Storr 25L on a trip :)
@@TheMountainborn btw, since the xpac is so stiff, I have removed the frame sheet from my phoenix. I think it has made the bag feel a little less stiff. Also I didn’t feel that this has compromised the load distribution at all and it has reduced a little bit of weight. It also has solved the only small nitpicky thing I have with this bag: the frame sheet interferes with the yoke pocket usability. Any Thoughts?! 😊
Hi Kevin - assuming you want to stay in the Evergoods family, the CPL 24 (Civic Panel Loader) is probably one of my all-time favorite clamshell style EDC bags (I own so many different versions of this bag it is embarrassing haha) The PLC 20 (Panel Loader Classic) is also a very solid bag for EDC use in the Evergoods family, albeit slightly smaller than the 22-25l size you mentioned). There is also now a CTB 20 which takes a lot of the goodness of the CTB26 and shrinks it down slightly in size ostensibly making it better suited for EDC use though in reality I find the CPL24 to be much superior to the shrunken down CTB20 (I feel it loses some of the magic of the 26 when shrunk down; the proportions start to get wacky) Other solid mainstream choices in this general problem space include: Aer City Pack / City Pack Pro Aer Day Pack Series Bellroy Transit Workpack Trakke Storr (several sizes available) Able Carry Daily Backpack GoRuck GR1 series (several sizes available) Mystery Ranch Urban Assault (several sizes available) etc. Those are some of the more popular "mainstream" brands that play in this space in the general size range you mentioned. If you have other requirements I can try to provide more specific recommendations / niche options, etc. Hope this helps!
@@TheMountainbornI'll bite. Please get me out of my analysis paralysis! I am 5'11 195 muscular build. As you mentioned in the video, I am looking for a goldilocks everyday/travel bag. Activities include trips to office, short bike rides to climbing gym, and probably most importantly bi monthly work trips where it will typically accompany my gregory carryon. Really would like a water bottle holder and a luggage pass through around 22-26liters. Already have a 40l rei trail that can serve as my crag /one travel bag. I like the clamshell but not a must. Don't want organization overkill. Right now in my bag is a water bottle, zujirushi coffee thermos, headphones, chargers, book, notepad, laptop, sweater, eye mask and snacks. Aer tech/boxy asthetic isnt quite me. The internet backpack goblins got me thinking the ctb26 might be too big but absolutely love the asthetic, layout, and features. Others I have looked at is Patagonia BH, Thule chasm, and subterra, and AON Whiteley. Do you have any inspiration or is ctb26 Lisan al Gaib?
Hi @syn3rgyz - do you mean did I find the bag itself too heavy? If so, the answer is, at around 1600g the CTB26 is technically on the heavier side for a bag nominally rated at 26L. (for comparison the Aer Travel Pack 3 Xpac 35L comes in at 1900g, the Peak Design 45L Travel bag around 2000g, etc.). However in practice the weight is a non-consideration for me for three major reasons: 1. Whilst nominally rated at 26L, in reality the CTB26 punches far above its weight in terms of carrying capacity. At this very moment I am traveling with the Aer Travel Pack v3 (for final testing purposes before publishing a review) and I can tell you that literally everything I fit in this bag I could also fit into the CTB26 (I know because I did it to confirm) - the latter has a pretty high capacity to size/weight ratio 2. In practice I have found that there tend to be distinct "weight classes" - within each of these classes, a +/- difference of a few hundred grams doesn't tend to make too much of a real-world difference because the contents of what you're carrying (assuming you choose a pack and loadout together to match a certain use case or preferred travel style) tends to make more a difference to the overall carry weight than the bag itself. Case and point - if I am trying to go lightweight, I will pick something like the Rofmia Shift Backpack v2 (895 grams, 35L capacity) or the GoRuck Kaiden Bullet (695grams) - both of which are clearly in a different weight class than the CTB26 (1600g) or some other similar bag that might way 300 grams less, etc. 3. Finally, the CTB26 is just (at least for me) clearly such a GOATd travel bag with a rock solid combination of organization, carrying capacity, amazing load carriage, materials, design etc. that hits the goldilocks zone of travel bag and EDC pack, that being a couple of hundred grams heavier than some other (admittedly great) bags in the same general space (like say the Bellroy Transit 28) is something I can easily overlook because of all the other greatness. Maybe the last thing to mention is that usually I am flying airlines that don't strictly weigh carry ons (as long as they don't look ridiculous or you're not struggling, they don't care). If you're flying an airline that does strictly weight luggage or has very strict 7kg limits etc. then you might need to look more carefully at bag weight. But like I mentioned above, in these cases there are bags that are dramatically lighter in weight - if you're cutting weight, my philosophy isn't to cut from 1600g to 1300g, but to go from 1600g to something like 750g etc. (and honestly these days of ubiquitous USB-C charging, UL laptops and lightweight fast drying synthetic fabrics it's so easy to lighten the internal load outs so that it is possible to travel internationally for weeks at a time with total pack weights of ≈5.5kgs) Anyway, I hope this helps!
The front dump pocket in the Phoenix 2 is slightly tighter than the normal CTB26. I think the latter has more dimension! And I feel like the water bottle pockets are easier to use as well because it doesn't have the stiffer xpac material.
Yes definitely - the nylon version has slightly more stretch all around and good point about the comparatively easier access into the top dump/water bottle pockets!
@@TheMountainborn in addition to the material, I think that front dump actually has an extra seam that makes the bottom boxier where the Phoenix 2 has one seam. I believe you can see this if you compare the two pockets side by side!
Business papers, man. 🫡 So this is a valued bag, yes? I’m just gonna go find a cash machine. Ps. I have the CPL24, best bag ever. Might get a CTB26 as well.
Business papers for life!!! 😂 I have to say, I do really really love this bag. I have both a CPL24 (I actually have so many different variations of the CPL24 I'm embarrassed to admit it) and a couple of the CTB26s (as seen in this video) and I have to say, they are both amongst my all time favorite bags....
@@TheMountainborn Far out, man. Clearly you’re a true bag connoisseur. I’m just holding off for a mirrored edition of the CTB26. I don’t think I could left arm carry.
Which would you recommend to take everywhere, such as coffee shop or Dr. visits (carrying 15” laptop)? I’m torn between either of these or an Aer bag. Any advice?
Thank you for a thorough detailed, no BS review. This is exactly what I was looking for and what the people needed.
Hi @karolinawolny9045 - thank you so much for the kind words - I'm so glad you found this video useful!
Wanted to hop on here and say thank you for the reviews you do.
The vast majority of the reviews on TH-cam are just essentially ads - A TH-camr praising whatever current bag they have been sent for free and having landed a deal for an affiliate link.
Your videos are thorough, critical and honest. I really appreciate your format as well. No marketing videos from the company or annoying music.
Thanks so much!
P.s. is there a bag you could recommend for EDC pack you would recommend for equally capable use in an office/academic setting as well as out in the field?
17:35 This part is so helpful (CTB26 vs CPL28 for travel). I have seen this question on many other comments sections for Evergoods bags, and having not owned either of the CPLs I wondered as well. Thanks for addressing it!
Btw this excellent review pushed me over, and I am really happy with my OD green CTB26 👍🏻
Forget the bags, I'd love to see a review of your watch done to the same level of thoroughness 😂 Such an unconventional choice and a really unique and cool timepiece 👏
A fellow watch enthusiast!!!!! First of all, thank you so much for the kind words!!!
In this review I'm wearing the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Monopusher Petit Prince edition (reference IW515202). I'm not going to lie, a big pilots watch was never at the top of my "must have" list because of their size (for comparison, my only other IWC is the much more normal-sized Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph).
But then I had the opportunity to see this in person and the beautiful blue dial against the chunky brown leather strap, chunky arabic numerals, the solid distinct feel of the mono pusher and the exhibition case back with the solid finishing and power reserve.... what can I say? Sometimes the heart sometimes wants what the heart wants 😂.
While I am fortunate enough to have a few different pieces, I'm not sure that I feel knowledgeable enough yet in my watch collecting journey to do a full on review... it can be scary putting a review out there on the Internet especially in a hobby like horology where there is no shortage of sharp tongued critics out there hahaha. But maybe someday!!
(if you have any specific questions about this piece though I am happy to do my best to try to answer them!! There's actually not too much information on this watch out there IIRC)
@@TheMountainborn
Thanks a lot for such a detailed reply!
The watch looks right at home on your wrist! So refreshing to see a sophisticated non-mainstream watch.
If you ever decide to create watch-related content, I'm sure it will be great 👍
Great review! I definitely feel as if you were the most helpful in giving advice out of all the reviewers I came across in my search for a new travel pack.
My only issue being that a lot of the bags are either not available in my location or are so expensive that I can't justify the cost compared to other options.
In the end I think I might grab the original version of the "Heimplanet transit line". Despite the drawbacks you mentioned, and the obvious one of it being a old version, I think it will work well for my intended use, in addition to being very reasonably priced at about $150 instead of the $450 ish the "Evergoods Civic" would run me.
Please keep up the reviews as I'm sure I'm not the only one you have helped immensely.
Thank you so much!
Chase Reeve impression is spot on!
😂 I have to give props to the OG of the bag review game!!
(That said, I *do* really carry business papers sometimes hahaha)
@@TheMountainbornWhere did you go mountain?
The video I've been waiting for! Favourite bag by the favourite reviewer! Great video 👌
The yoke pocket is perfect for my sunglasses that stay in their hard case until I use them. Love this bag.
@zgilly2157 - I know right! Definitely a contender for one of my top bags of all time, tbh.
@TheMountainborn Any plans on reviewing the new alpha one niner evade 1.5? It looks so good and it's 25L
Love your incredibly detailed reviews! Will you be making a video about the MPL22?
Pardon my language but what a fucking phenomenal review. I can tell just how much experience youve had with these bags and the brand in general; they should pay you for this video
Awwww!!!! Thank you so much for the amazing comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful!!!
Among all the brands out there at the moment, Evergoods definitely ranks high on my list (though some of their latest releases I have mixed feelings about) and the CTB26 still remains a mainstay of my rotation even a couple of years after its release, it's that good. I'm glad they made it part of their regular lineup rather than just keeping it locked behind the Carryology collab so now more people can experience it :)
Great review man. Honestly i’m glad I went with the 35L just because I find the hip belt to be excellent for heavier load days. I don’t mind EDCing it. I feel comfortable which is what matters, nobody really cares how big or small your pack looks.
Fantastic and thorough review! Will probably pick this bag up for my carry on luggage. Can’t quite do one bag travel - one reason being TSA doesn’t like my traditional safety razor and blades. 😉 I love the organization and multiple exterior pockets for the ability to quickly access items or quickly dump items when having to empty pants pockets when going through airport security. Exterior water bottle pockets are a must and one of the reasons for choosing this over the CPL series. Plus, when traveling across climate zones when you need a coat to start but not one at destination, there is room to stow it in this pack. Definite upgrade over the GoRuck 15L Bullet!
Hi @ab7019! Thank you so much for the kind words!
One note regarding safety razors and OBT (One Bag Travel) - I actually often use (and travel with) safety razors during my one bag travel and in my experience, it has been fine 95% of the time! In the US if you get TSA Pre I've never once had them so much as ask me to take out my dopp kit, let alone look inside. And in almost every country I've traveled in over the past decade, nobody so much as bats an eye at the safety razor.
The only two times in the past I've ever had an issue was once in Vienna airport where I was asked to leave the blades themselves behind (though obviously I could keep the razor) and once in Copenhagen airport (though these instances were spread apart by a couple of years). I didn't mind too much since the few bucks for the blades weren't a big deal to me (I usually only carry 2-3 blades at max just in case I am asked to throw them away).
Also, in each case it wasn't a very big deal since in my experience most druggists still tend to stock at least one type of double edged blades (usually on a dusty shelf somewhere or else you have to ask for it), or else in most major cities it is just an Amazon overnight express away etc. Of course, if you have a particular brand you love that might
(Or I guess at the very worst one could (shudder) use a generic Mach 3 or something for a few nights haha)
Anyway, just wanted to share my experience - of course your mileage may vary but I wouldn't let your love of safety razors stop you from the joys of one bag traveling!
Great review. Always so thorough! Looking forward to getting this bag soon.
Awww thank you for the kind words bigman606! You're gonna love the bag - hope yours arrives soon!!
It's funny, for you it's a goldilocks bag, for me it's a bag that I virtually never use because it's slap bang in the middle of my two main use cases that are better served by other bags.
CTB 26 always feels a bit too big and unwieldy for EDC, so I almost always use a 20 litre bag for that. If I'm going on holiday CTB 26 always feels a bit too small, so I end up using a 35 litre bag. I think I've used my CTB 26 once in the 6 months since I've had it, and even during that one time, I remember thinking I should have used a different bag.
I think if I regularly needed to go places for between 4-8 days then this would be a good bag. But for 1-3 days I'll use a 20 litre, and longer trips I'll use a 35 litre.
Your reviews are god-tier amazing, please keep up the awesome work that you do.
Do you have any plans to review the Evergoods Transit Duffel 35L? I'm currently in the market for a high quality ~35L duffel that can carry 3-5 days worth of stuff and it caught my eye! Otherwise, would love any recommendations!
Awww thank you for the kind words @decantering !
I am currently testing the TD35 and will have a review on it in the coming weeks. Impressions to date: definitely high quality (typical of Evergoods). Square shape and in-built sidewall padding makes it relatively easy to pack and it sits well inside of a car boot or in an overhead compartment without taking up too much space (due to upright rectangular shape). The top opening with built in stays is cool and comparatively easy to load but not quite as easy to use as the release video makes it sound ("like an old time doctors bag") due to the stiffness of the flap clips on either side that you need to release to really make it open up super wide.
Speaking of which, beyond the side flap clips being quite stiff to clip/unclip (a two handed operation at least to date, maybe they'll break in over time) unfortunately I'm not really liking how the bag connects to the shoulder strap - the flaps just don't do it for me and it kind of looks/feels awkward with them sticking up. I think it's something about the flappy, unstructured flaps then blending into the stiff and fairly rectangular, heavily structured main body of the bag. The shoulder strap itself is simple but sufficient and I like the construction of it as an object (typical ever goods quality) but... somehow the shoulder carry combination just doesn't work for me. The bag is also quite ponderous and heavy to carry over the shoulder when loaded up - makes for a much better hand carry though again, it's surprisingly heavy in a way that I haven't experienced with other similar sized duffels I use (Mission Workshop transit duffel, Bellroy Lite duffel, even the black ember Dex, though the latter suffers from other issues, etc.)
The hand carry handles are great and I love their simple and reliable execution. Lots of internal and external organization in the bag. No backpack straps (which contributes to the clean look of the bag) but due to the awkwardness of the shoulder strap carry I find this basically limits the bag to hand carry and 35L is *a lot* of stuff to carry by hand if it's fully loaded up. You will also probably need a day/destination use bag (I have the matador x carryology edx pack inside of the TD35) as well.
All in all, mixed feelings on the TD35 but continuing to test it. So far the sweet spot seems to be like a weekender style bag for car travel - hauling stuff from home to boot of car to hotel and back. Not the best bag for public transport/airline travel etc. IMO.
Will share more refined thoughts in my full review after I finish really putting it through its paces and working out my opinion. Other bags to consider in this general size range include (in no particular order):
* Bellroy Lite Duffel - very simple and lightweight but I actually real like this one. no laptop sleeve though.
* Bellroy Weekender - for more of a weekender experience - I like this one, available in two different sizes. Did a review on my channel in the past
* Mission Workshop Transit Duffel (I quite like this one, some strong similarities in certain areas to the EG TD35)
* Black Ember Dex - both pros and cons to this bag, available in two sizes. Kind of overcomplicated and fussy in that typical black ember way, but great materials and has fairly nice backpack straps that work well as a way to carry it when fully loaded out.
Hope this helps!
@@TheMountainbornPersonally do you think the TD35 and the CTB26 would be a good bag+duffel combo for airlines travel?
I really like the AC Max, but end spending a lot more and got the EG CTB Griffin and the matching CAP 1. About to drive home now to see if it’s on my porch yet 🙏
Hooray!!! Did it arrive safely? ☺️
Such a good review, thank you!! Any thoughts on the new mpl22? How it stacks up for edc and minimal travel? You a fan of the ecopak version? Thanks!
amazing review as always.
For me this backpack didn't do it.
I think my sweet spot is 22/24, but over this, ti's just too much.
The frame didn't work well with my back.
It's hard because I wanted to love it, I wanted this to be the one, but in the end I decided to part it and sold it in mercari here in tokyo.
Now i'm rocking a venture 22L, have you tried it? I'm happy with this, something I like is the lack of a Vertical pocket, maybe I've been using normal (not cool tech) backpacks for such a long time in my life, that I don't really understand the small claustrophonic vertical pocket, it just doesn't have any use for me.
Anyway, man, quick question, what are you using a travel sling nowadays? I'm in the market for one, mostly for airport and trips
I'm considering the bellroy venture but the lack of 3 pockets bother me.
Would you consider a video comparing bags with best organization/pockets? Love your reviews!
Do you feel the nylon version drapes better? I had the Phoenix 2 but i ended up selling it because it had a weird overall shape. I wanted the rectangle CPL look.
I definitely prefer the drape of the nylon, it looks/feels/reacts much like the CPL24 (v3 and beyond series) - plus the added bonus of a bit extra "flex" due to the fabric vs. the xpac.
The Xpac stiffness is probably what contributed to the weird overall shape you felt with the Phoenix 2 - if you want the CPL24 look, the nylon6 mainline variant of the CTB265 will likely get you much much closer!
@@TheMountainborn I knew you would understand my gripe about that weird shape! Thank you!!
Hi great review! I’m having a tough time deciding between belllroy venture ready 26 vs ctb 26 and are travel pack 3 vs ctb35. Which one would you recommend?
I’ve purchased all of those you mentioned. Evergoods CTB26 is by far the best.
@@gng108the CTB26 is truly the Goldilocks bag
A Goldilocks bag is typically a bag that you can safely fill with porridge without attracting bears.
haha well I suppose that is also one possible definition!
I guess if one were to fill this bag with porridge, the X-Pac variant might be slightly better at not leaking :)
Hey mountain I, like others, dig your reviews and thoroughness but sometimes it can be hard for me to set aside an hour+ worth of time to a bag review. I had a thought while watching this review about a reviewer of cameras that does two versions of his reviews. look up Dustin abbot if you’d like. He does one review he calls the “definitive review” of a lens or camera body and it’s a very long thorough in depth version and one review that’s a streamlined (somewhere around 10 min.) quicker review/overview. His channel does really well and I still think he maintains a lot of integrity in the “photography TH-camr” space for his meticulous-ness while also giving the opportunity to have a quicker engagement where appropriate. Just a thought. Good luck and thanks for taking the time to do what you do!
Those 'business papers' get around! ;)
I've read some comments about the bottom digging in. Has anyone experienced this? I'm 5'7"
hahahaha you know, business papers gotta be international and what not!
For me, I haven't had the experience of this bag's bottom digging in - I heard it happened a fair amount with the V2 CPL24s, though I hear about it comparatively lesser with the V3 CPL24s and the CTB26 (which came after the v3s).
Curious to hear if any of the other viewers have experienced this though!
Yes I had the digging on my CTB26. Putting some foam in helped - I have a video on it. Very easy.
That being said I have actually recently swapped my CTB for a CPL24 mirror version, due to the CTB feeling less than comfortable under heavier loads and looking quite big given it’s advertised dimensions. I think it’s down to the shaping of the bag at the top
I think I saw your vid, Chris. Thanks for posting.
Unfortunately I had the back digging issue (also found the CTB26 straps to be overly narrow). So much to love about the bag but I had to sell it - was utterly gutted to do so though. Still looking for other options.
I’m sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am still too poor to buy it but might keep thinking
Have you ever used the CHZ 26 and if so how would it do as a travel bag if you didn’t need to bring a laptop? I’d also like to see a review on the Matador Seg 28.
I one-bag traveled with the CHZ26. It stuffs a ton. Without a separate laptop compartment the bag's entire depth is allocated in the main compartment. I stopped using the CHZ26 as my one-bag travel backpack for a few reasons:
1. You only have two pockets that are easily accessible when the bag is full. The upside down mesh pocket needs to have the bag fully unzipped to access, which might lead to things in the main compartment falling out of your stuffed your backpack to capacity.
2. If you need to reach for something in the bottom of the backpack and the bag is fully stuffed, then you'll need to start taking stuff out.
Great reply from @Andorski that I think covers some pretty important highlights for why the CHZ26 wouldn't be my first choice as a One Bag Travel bag. That said, it is a solid bag and you definitely *can* OBT with it, just there are probably better choices. It think it makes for a great cross over urban-use/outdoor-use bag.
The SEG28.... I will actually have a review of this coming up. I have such mixed feelings on this bag - I love how innovative it is and the second revision has added some much-needed refinements over the v1. The biggest challenge I have with it is that the segmented compartments really force you to pack in a certain way that isn't that great of a fit for the kind of things I carry - it does really well if you're carrying a lot of soft things like clothes and maybe a minimal dopp kit and maybe a pair of shoes etc. I think the SEG28 excels in carrying gear to more outdoor adventures maybe staying in the car as the car bag with your climbing gear, puffy jacket, gloves, etc. (though you'll still need a purpose built hiking bag etc. in addition)
However, it does less well with smaller delicate or harder things - think camera, small notebook, tech kit, hair iron, headphones, etc. Don't get me wrong, you _can_ get these things into it but it gets messy quickly and just isn't as efficient or even well protected as more traditional type backpacks. I also personally don't like that the SEG28 makes you carry these things in the outward facing compartments (though there is a small little loop to help make unzipping them slightly more secure) and I especially don't like it strongly disincentivizes using packing cubes (but that is just personal preference). I don't think it makes for a good daily use / destination use EDC pack due to its very unique segmented nature so you usually need to bring another bag with you for EDC use when you arrive.
Anyway, like I said, super innovative, but it depends a lot on both your particular load out and preference. Anyway, will have a full review at some point!!
Which bag do you find more comfortable between the AC Max and CTB26?
If evaluating only comfort, I would go with the CTB26 hands down. The AC Max is not uncomfortable by any means (albeit a bit stiff sometimes) but I find the CTB26 to have a better load carriage system and I am quite used to (and prefer) the yoke area and curvature of Evergoods bags.
@@TheMountainbornwhat is the maximum weight the CTB26 can carry before it gets uncomfortable?
Is this better than the Bellroy Transit 28L?
Great question Leo. Here is an excerpt from an email I sent a viewer who asked a similar question:
> tl;dr is that I love both bags and they're both some of my all time favourite goldilocks (One bag travel + destination use EDC bag in one) bags. They're quite different in their construction and approach to the same problem space, and I think you can't go wrong with either. I think the Transit 28 is probably slightly more minimalist (ish) [the viewer had asked specifically about minimalism] than the CTB26 but they're both fairly full featured bags so it might depend on your definition of minimalism.
> Comfort/harness/suspension setup and that is one area where I feel comfortable saying the CTB26 comes out well ahead of the Transit 28 - the latter has kind of small/thinnish shoulder straps (its probably my single biggest criticism of that otherwise excellent bag) and a slightly softer frame sheet, whereas the CTB26 is typical Evergoods amazing good stuff - as long as you're not one of the relatively small number of people in this world who don't like the way the Evergoods bags sit on your back. (most people like it, but a few people think it hits them uncomfortably in the lower back).
> I love both and think that if you're torn between the two of the you probably could be happy with either... that said, devoid of any other additional context, if I were pushed to choose one and only one, I'd go with the CTB26.
I hope this helps!
@@TheMountainborn, appreciate your detailed response!
I've been using the Bellroy Transit for three years while traveling and it's served me really well. However, as you said, the shoulder straps aren't too comfortable and often need readjusting, especially under heavy loads. Your video suggests the CTB26 is really similar in organizational features and distribution to the Transit 28L, which is great, but offers a better strap system and comfort, which is exactly what I'm looking for. Also I like the external bottle pockets of the CTB26 a little more, as they don't take up internal space, although I have to say that the ones in the Bellroy Transit can also be used as hidden pockets for passport, wallet, phone, etc, which has proven to be really useful in many cases.
I just wonder if the added extra weight of the CTB26 (400g heavier) makes the extra comfort worth it. But I guess it's an unavoidable trade-off, there's no perfect backpack after all.
Thank you!
Nice bag but a little big for an EDC work bag imo. What slings are you using currently? Do you have any recommendations for a camera sling (a compact mirrorless and perhaps 1 or 2 lenses)?
Thought about the bellroy 10L camera sling but it seems a little big.
Yeah, if pure play EDC is what you're looking for, definitely suggest to check out the CPL24 which while nominally only 2 liters smaller is definitely a much better purpose built EDC bag.... that said, the CTB26 can definitely rock it as a destination use EDC bag without looking crazy big like most other one bag travel bags, and even for people with bigger or larger daily load outs (thinking people who carry gym gear / shoes or bigger FF camera gear etc.) I think it does great even outside of the travel scenario.
For slings, my current general use favs are:
- Bellroy Venture Sling 6L
- Bellroy Lite Sacoche
- Alpaka Gear Go Sling (when carrying an iPad Pro w/ keyboard cover)
For carrying camera gear like you specified (compact mirrorless and 1-2 small lenses) I think the Venture 10L is not a bad choice (though it has limited capacity to carry non-camera items). Another option is the standard suspect of the Peak Design Everyday sling line - depending on how small your gear is you could fit it into the 6L version which is smaller than the bellroy though kind of annoyingly tight and stiffer than I prefer in a sling (and similarly is hard to get anything non-camera into).
Another option might be the Yoshida Porter Tanker camera shoulder bag. Another option recently on the market is the Black Ember Grip Sling with the purpose built camera insert (though this is bigger than the Bellroy 10L). It has a lot of limitations but it tends to work best with smaller mirrorless setups like you described.
Finally, if you like the Bellroy 10L camera sling but think it's too big the 9L regular mainline venture actually might work as well - if you see my review on it on my channel I show briefly how it can carry a camera and lens quite capably.
Good luck!
@@TheMountainborn Thanks for the in-depth response.
I actually own and am using the CPL24 as my EDC, however still find it a tad big for my liking. Tried the CHZ22 in the past but the rhino horn at the top really turns me off. Hoping for the CTB to be released as a 20 or 22L in the future.
As for the slings, I will definitely check out the ones you recommended!
I appreciate your reviews, feel that we have similar taste for bags.😀
Agreed!!! Ohhhh and how about the new rofmia?
Heyyyy friend! Do you mean the V2 Shift L? Unfortunately I did not cop it when it went on sale and it's out of stock at the moment.... I may pick it up when it come back in stock.
Right now (right this second!) I'm rocking the new Trakke Storr 25L on a trip :)
@@TheMountainborn yes! The v2 shift. I am waiting on it too. :) the Storr seem an awesome travel pack
@@TheMountainborn btw, since the xpac is so stiff, I have removed the frame sheet from my phoenix. I think it has made the bag feel a little less stiff. Also I didn’t feel that this has compromised the load distribution at all and it has reduced a little bit of weight. It also has solved the only small nitpicky thing I have with this bag: the frame sheet interferes with the yoke pocket usability. Any Thoughts?! 😊
For those looking for a bag that is more edc/smaller (22-25L) but equally versatile what would you recommend looking at? 😊
Hi Kevin - assuming you want to stay in the Evergoods family, the CPL 24 (Civic Panel Loader) is probably one of my all-time favorite clamshell style EDC bags (I own so many different versions of this bag it is embarrassing haha)
The PLC 20 (Panel Loader Classic) is also a very solid bag for EDC use in the Evergoods family, albeit slightly smaller than the 22-25l size you mentioned). There is also now a CTB 20 which takes a lot of the goodness of the CTB26 and shrinks it down slightly in size ostensibly making it better suited for EDC use though in reality I find the CPL24 to be much superior to the shrunken down CTB20 (I feel it loses some of the magic of the 26 when shrunk down; the proportions start to get wacky)
Other solid mainstream choices in this general problem space include:
Aer City Pack / City Pack Pro
Aer Day Pack Series
Bellroy Transit Workpack
Trakke Storr (several sizes available)
Able Carry Daily Backpack
GoRuck GR1 series (several sizes available)
Mystery Ranch Urban Assault (several sizes available)
etc.
Those are some of the more popular "mainstream" brands that play in this space in the general size range you mentioned. If you have other requirements I can try to provide more specific recommendations / niche options, etc.
Hope this helps!
@@TheMountainbornI'll bite. Please get me out of my analysis paralysis! I am 5'11 195 muscular build. As you mentioned in the video, I am looking for a goldilocks everyday/travel bag. Activities include trips to office, short bike rides to climbing gym, and probably most importantly bi monthly work trips where it will typically accompany my gregory carryon. Really would like a water bottle holder and a luggage pass through around 22-26liters. Already have a 40l rei trail that can serve as my crag /one travel bag. I like the clamshell but not a must. Don't want organization overkill.
Right now in my bag is a water bottle, zujirushi coffee thermos, headphones, chargers, book, notepad, laptop, sweater, eye mask and snacks.
Aer tech/boxy asthetic isnt quite me. The internet backpack goblins got me thinking the ctb26 might be too big but absolutely love the asthetic, layout, and features. Others I have looked at is Patagonia BH, Thule chasm, and subterra, and AON Whiteley.
Do you have any inspiration or is ctb26 Lisan al Gaib?
do you not find it too heavy for a 26L bag for travel?
Hi @syn3rgyz - do you mean did I find the bag itself too heavy? If so, the answer is, at around 1600g the CTB26 is technically on the heavier side for a bag nominally rated at 26L. (for comparison the Aer Travel Pack 3 Xpac 35L comes in at 1900g, the Peak Design 45L Travel bag around 2000g, etc.). However in practice the weight is a non-consideration for me for three major reasons:
1. Whilst nominally rated at 26L, in reality the CTB26 punches far above its weight in terms of carrying capacity. At this very moment I am traveling with the Aer Travel Pack v3 (for final testing purposes before publishing a review) and I can tell you that literally everything I fit in this bag I could also fit into the CTB26 (I know because I did it to confirm) - the latter has a pretty high capacity to size/weight ratio
2. In practice I have found that there tend to be distinct "weight classes" - within each of these classes, a +/- difference of a few hundred grams doesn't tend to make too much of a real-world difference because the contents of what you're carrying (assuming you choose a pack and loadout together to match a certain use case or preferred travel style) tends to make more a difference to the overall carry weight than the bag itself. Case and point - if I am trying to go lightweight, I will pick something like the Rofmia Shift Backpack v2 (895 grams, 35L capacity) or the GoRuck Kaiden Bullet (695grams) - both of which are clearly in a different weight class than the CTB26 (1600g) or some other similar bag that might way 300 grams less, etc.
3. Finally, the CTB26 is just (at least for me) clearly such a GOATd travel bag with a rock solid combination of organization, carrying capacity, amazing load carriage, materials, design etc. that hits the goldilocks zone of travel bag and EDC pack, that being a couple of hundred grams heavier than some other (admittedly great) bags in the same general space (like say the Bellroy Transit 28) is something I can easily overlook because of all the other greatness.
Maybe the last thing to mention is that usually I am flying airlines that don't strictly weigh carry ons (as long as they don't look ridiculous or you're not struggling, they don't care). If you're flying an airline that does strictly weight luggage or has very strict 7kg limits etc. then you might need to look more carefully at bag weight. But like I mentioned above, in these cases there are bags that are dramatically lighter in weight - if you're cutting weight, my philosophy isn't to cut from 1600g to 1300g, but to go from 1600g to something like 750g etc. (and honestly these days of ubiquitous USB-C charging, UL laptops and lightweight fast drying synthetic fabrics it's so easy to lighten the internal load outs so that it is possible to travel internationally for weeks at a time with total pack weights of ≈5.5kgs)
Anyway, I hope this helps!
The front dump pocket in the Phoenix 2 is slightly tighter than the normal CTB26. I think the latter has more dimension! And I feel like the water bottle pockets are easier to use as well because it doesn't have the stiffer xpac material.
Yes definitely - the nylon version has slightly more stretch all around and good point about the comparatively easier access into the top dump/water bottle pockets!
@@TheMountainborn in addition to the material, I think that front dump actually has an extra seam that makes the bottom boxier where the Phoenix 2 has one seam. I believe you can see this if you compare the two pockets side by side!
Business papers, man. 🫡 So this is a valued bag, yes? I’m just gonna go find a cash machine.
Ps. I have the CPL24, best bag ever. Might get a CTB26 as well.
Business papers for life!!! 😂
I have to say, I do really really love this bag. I have both a CPL24 (I actually have so many different variations of the CPL24 I'm embarrassed to admit it) and a couple of the CTB26s (as seen in this video) and I have to say, they are both amongst my all time favorite bags....
@@TheMountainborn Far out, man. Clearly you’re a true bag connoisseur.
I’m just holding off for a mirrored edition of the CTB26. I don’t think I could left arm carry.
Which would you recommend to take everywhere, such as coffee shop or Dr. visits (carrying 15” laptop)? I’m torn between either of these or an Aer bag. Any advice?
@@mr_red13 My vote goes to CPL24 (or the recently released CPL16!), the CTB26 is way too big for EDC.
@@MB-zz5re what about the CPL16 vs MPL22 Ecopak?